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Quranic Wisdom

Difference: A Part of Creation

ifferences between people are a part of nature, resulting
Ddirectly from the creation plan of God. This fact is explained
in the chapter Hud (Hud) of the Quran:

If your Lord had wished, He would have made
mankind into one community. As it is, they will not
cease to dispute—and to this end He has created them
[all], except for those to whom your Lord has shown
mercy. (11:118-119)
It is a fact that there are differences between individuals as well
as groups. But this is not an evil: it is actually good for humanity.
Difference is not simply difference: it reflects diversity and the
unlimited nature of men and women.
Healthy difference, inviting discussion and dialogue and
intellectual exchange, leads to development, while a ‘no
difference’ situation leads to stagnation. The acceptance of such
ideas, leading to development in every field, both intellectual
and physical, contributes greatly to progress. Man has unlimited
potential but it needs competition and challenge to bring it forth
and turn it into actuality. Difference, in providing an issue for
discussion, throws down such a challenge and, by meeting this
challenge, you are able to discover new areas of facts, new fields
of progress. Minus difference, man would fall into an intellectual
slumber and become little better than a statue.
But there have to be certain pre-conditions if difference is
to be a healthy social asset. In spite of differences you have to
remain peaceable. You have to be sincere and objective, so that
the difference may be expressed in a disciplined manner. You

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